MJ fact set

3 Michael Jackson facts to set the mood

Verified moments from Michael Jackson's career that almost no one outside passionate fans knows.

• He could write entire songs without an instrument

  Michael composed by beatboxing every part — drums, bass, strings — into a tape recorder, then sang it back to musicians in the studio. Tracks like 'Beat It,' 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough' and 'Stranger in Moscow' were born this way. The original beatbox demos still exist in the Sony vault.

• Thriller has been certified 34× Platinum in the U.S.

  The RIAA recertified Thriller in 2021, confirming over 34 million album-equivalent units sold in the U.S. alone — the highest single-album certification ever granted in the United States.

• 'We Are the World' was recorded in one overnight session

  On January 28, 1985, 46 artists assembled at A&M Studios in Hollywood after the American Music Awards. Co-written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie in just a few weeks, the song raised over $63 million for famine relief in Africa.

Facts compiled from publicly available sources including Billboard, the RIAA, Guinness World Records, the US Patent Office and reputable music publications. This is an independent fan publication and is not affiliated with the Estate of Michael Jackson. All trademarks and song titles belong to their respective owners.